Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-12-16
CHATTER xxIu-IuAvE SPOKEN.

CHAllER y AliI.-l iiAN l. SIOhEN.
1t was n week after Nyleptha's visit
when had begun to get about little in
the middle OF the dav, that message came
to me from Sir Henry to say that Sordis
would he brought before them in the
Queens first ante-chamber at midday and
requesting my attendance, if possible.
Accordingly, greatly drawn by curiosity
to see this unhappy woman once more,
made shift, with tho help OF that kind lit
Ito fellow, AlphOnse, who is n perfect
treasure to me, and that OF another wait
ing oman, to reach the ante-chamber. ] got
there, indeed, before anybody else, except
few of the great court officials who had
been hidden to be present, but had scarce
ly seated myself before Sorais was brought
I'm by party Of guards, looking az bc0uti-
ful and defiant rs ever, but with 4 worn
expression on her proud face. She was,
MS usual, dressed in her royal "kaf." en-
blazoned with the emblem OF the Sun, and
in her right hand she still held the toy
spear of silver. \ panG Of admiration and
pity went through me rs | looked ut her,
and struggling to my feet, I bowed deeply,
mt the same time expressing my sorrow
that was not able, owing to my condition,
TO remain standing before her
She colorcd little, and then laughed
bitterly. Thou dost forget, Mncuma-
zahn, she said, 81 am no more u queen,
save in blood; am an outCaSt and pris-
oner, one whom all men should scorn, and
llpAt SuNull SHOW ltlEEtItP TO.
AT least" | replied, thou art still Il
lady, and therefore one to whom Difference
is due Also, thou art in an evil case and
therefore it is doubly due"
All She answered. with little laugh
thou dOst forget that would have wrap
psd thee in sheet Of gold and hung thee
to the angels trumpet at the toDmost PIN
nacle OF tho tGmple."
NO. answered. Il assure thee | for
got 1t not; indeed, ! often thought of il
when it seemed to me that the battle of
the Pass was turning against us: but the
trumpet is there and am still here, though
perchsncc not for long, SO why talk of it
now"
"Ah" she went on, "the battle. the bat
tie! Oh, would that | were once more Il
queen, II only for one little hour. and
would take such n vengeance on those nc
cursed iacGals who deserted me il my
need, that it should only he spoken Of in
whispers; those women, those nj ,eOu-
hearted hall-breeds who suffered them
selves to be cvercomeH' and she choked in
her wrath.
LAY, and that little coward beside thee"
she went on, pointing at Alphonse with
the little spear, whercat he looked very
uncomfortable; The escaped ana bet uyld
my plans. | tried to make Il general Of
him, telling the soldiers il WAS Bnugvan.
and to scourge valor into him" lhrra Al
phonSe Shivcred at some unhappy yccoilec-
tom, but it WAS OF no avail lie hill 10
meath banner in my tent, and thus over
heard my plans. | would that ! had slain
him. but, alas, held my hand.
And thou, A0Cumaz thu | have heard
OF what thou ciiJst; thou art brave man.
and hast n loyal heart. AGl thc black
one, too; All, he was q I1lUH | wOult fam
have seen him hurl Nilsta from the star
WAY"
Thou art a strange womsl, Sorais,n
raid. IL pray thee, now plead With the
Queen Nylepthn, that pcrchauce she may
show mercy unto thee
She laughed ont loud Il plaai for
mercy" she said and ut that moment the
Queen entered, accompanied by Sir Henry
and Good, and took her seat vita an i'm
passive face. AS for poor Good, he looked
intensely i'll at ease.
Greeting. Soraisl" said Nyleptha, after
short pause. 'Thou hast rent the king
dom like a rag, thou hast put thousands of
my people To the sword: thou hast twice
basety plotted to destroy my life b. muir
der, thou hast sworn to Slay Ely lt,-d and
his companions, and to hurl ms a.. ON the
Stairway. What hast thou To say why
thou shouldSt not dieS Speak, O Soraisrf
"Methinks my sister the Queen hath for
gotten the chief count OF the Indictment
answered SOrais in her slow musical tones
IL runs thus; "Fhou didSt strive TO win
the love of my lord lncUbu. Ii is for this
crime that my sister viii slay me. not be-
cause levied war. 1t Is, perhaps, happy
upon his love too late.
listen, she went on. raising her voice
Il have naught to say save THAI | waaid |
had won instead OF lost Do tho;l with me
even rs thou wilt o Queeu, and let nav
lord the King there pointing 70 Sr
Henry, for now viii ne be Mag. curry out
the sentence, as it is meet he >4oulI. for
as he Is the beginning Of the evil. IS him
also be the end. and she drew nerself up
and shot one angry glance AZ him lrJm her
deep frinCed eyes, and then began TO toy
with her spear
Sir Henry bent toward Nyleptha aud
whispered something that | could Lot
catch, and then the Queen spoke
''Sorais, ever have been good sister to
thee. When our father died. ana there
was much talk in the land as TO whether
thou shouldst sit upon the throne with me,
being the elder, | gave my voice for thee
and said, Nay, let her sit She IS twin
with me; we were born at birth; where
fore should the one be preferred before the
otherS And SO has il ever been 'twixt
thee and me, my sister. But now thou
knoweSt in what sort thou hast repaid me-
but have prevailed, and thy life IS forfeit.
Sords. Aud yet art thou my sister, horn